Amazing Stats
With the snow actually sticking for the last two days, I decided to finally bust out the YakTrax. I had bought them more than a month ago, but hadn’t had a chance to use them yet. Bunky had them back in Cornell and used to swear by them. Trying them on was definitely an exciting experience.
The YakTrax weren’t too difficult to get on, as they’re really just rubber webbing with metal coils. On dry ground, the YakTrax actually make it more difficult to walk, because the rubber is slightly squishy, and the coils tend to make you roll a little bit. However, once you step onto ground that has some snow on it, the YakTrax are like a revelation. The snow kinda holds the coils in place, and the coils in turn grip the ground extremely well. In my dress shoes, I was able to walk very briskly without feeling at all like I was losing my traction. I was definitely satisfied with the YakTrax.
In other news about satisfying purchases, I recently replaced my horrible Logitech USB headset. Originally, I had purchased a USB headset because I didn’t want to have to reach behind my computer to switch between my headset and my speakers. Eventually, however, I found that I barely ever used my speakers, and so the need for having a USB headset disappeared.
The old Logitech headset was extremely uncomfortable. I don’t think I have particularly large ears, but the ear pieces were much too small, and the fitting was very tight (and not adjustable). I had to wear them slightly forward so they wouldn’t pinch my ears, and they still felt terrible. A few weeks ago, the indicator light that told me if the microphone was on or muted also broke, and because the mute mechanism is a button that is easily pushed, I was constantly muting myself by accident. However, I never knew if I was muted or not, and so I was constantly paranoid. Basically, that headset was a complete piece of crap, which I thought was unusual for a Logitech product.
I replaced the Logitech with a normal headset. I picked up an Altec Lansing headset. The sound quality is a billion times better, and it was weird hearing everyone on Vent, as everyone sounded different. Apparently the change was mutual, as the new microphone was considerably better as well. I have been told by several people that my voice is much deeper now, and it has also been mentioned that I no longer have a lisp =__=. I had no idea I sounded like Mickey Mouse with a speech impediment, but now that I sound like a reincarnation of Barry White, it’s all good.
In terms of the construction of the Altec Lansing headset, it’s extremely comfortable, and the mute/volume control is simple and effective. The plastic doesn’t seem to be of the highest quality, and with the way the ear cups swivel the whole thing doesn’t feel very sturdy. However, it’s a very comfortable headset and the fact that it adds +100 to my manliness doesn’t hurt either.
By Velius, 1/23/2007 @ 10:13 am
At least you can talk now while bunky is watching the TV. After initial complaints, I actually really like the headset I got as well. They dubbed them as the “most comfortable” headset ever, and I think after a year of use, I will have to agree.